Chiefs' Kelce and Mahomes rave about RB Kenneth Walker

After swapping the Seahawks for the Chiefs in free agency, the 25-year-old is set to spearhead a running game that hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017.

To hear teammates Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes heap praise upon him, Walker's off to a fast start.

Kelce's verdict on Walker

Walker amassed 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2025 despite sharing touches with Zach Charbonnet in the Seahawks' backfield.

But the real story of his season was his performance against the Patriots in the Super Bowl, when he put the offense on his back with 135 yards rushing and 26 receiving.

Judging by Kelce's comments, that form looks set to continue into 2026.

"Woo! You know, Ken Walker's gonna be a hell of a ball player for us, if you didn't know that already," Kelce said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"He's got every trait you could possibly want at the running back position.

"And on top of that, his mentality, how smart he is, his physicality, his aggression, and how he runs with the football and just plays the game.

"I can't say enough about him as a teammate. We've got an absolute superstar on and off the field in [No.] 9."

Offensive lineman Jaylon Moore agreed with that assessment, describing Walker as "a freak."

Mahomes: Walker can "do everything"

When asked for his biggest takeaway from the changes to the offense, Mahomes didn't hesitate to bring up Walker.

"No. 9, that's all I can say," he said at a press conference on Saturday.

"The ability to catch, run, pass protect, do everything, make a play out of nothing to a 20-yard gain.

"That's going to be the biggest impact I think we'll have. Now it's just finding ways to get him the football."

DAZN Prediction for Walker in 2026

DAZN NFL writer Jason Abbey

Walker will easily eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets there well before Week 18.

That would make him the first Chiefs' back to do it since Kareem Hunt managed it as a rookie, ending a nine-year drought.

He should also have no trouble clearing his career-high of 299 receiving yards if Andy Reid's comments are to be believed.

If the offensive line holds up its end, and Walker remains healthy, a Pro Bowl nod is well within his reach.

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